Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
  • A61H3/04—Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
  • A61H3/04—Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons
  • A61H2003/046—Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons with braking means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/01—Constructive details
  • A61H2201/0161—Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a support device, more precisely a support device used to support movement by invalids, the elderly and others requiring support.
• wheeled support devices are known. These are particularly intended to support elderly people, due to their reduced ability to move.
• One example of a known support device can be described as 'a kick sled moving on wheels'.
• a kick sled has been altered by reinforcing and shortening the runners and sticking wheels, of which there are usually four, on the ends.
• Another known type of support device has two vertical tube components, the upper ends of which are bent to an essentially horizontal position to form handles, attached to the front of the frame component, close to the front wheels.
• a seat and a basket for carrying goods are placed between the tube components.
• a third known construction is of a type, in which tube components rise from the hubs of four wheels and have handles formed at their ends. In this case too, a seat and basket are set between the two tube components.
• the support devices described above have disadvantages, without which they would be considerably more useful, especially the fact that the rigid construction of various support devices prevents them being stored in a small space. Many of the devices take up so much space, both horizontally and vertically, that it is very difficult to store them out of the way in a normal apartment. Other drawbacks are no or insufficient vertical adjustment. This means that the known support devices often cannot be adapted for children, who may also need a support device for moving, due to an injury or other reasons.
• the support devices described above can be equipped with either large or small wheels, changing the wheels is nevertheless difficult and the wheels are not intended to be changed by the user. Thus, if the wheels need changing due to wear or other reasons, a special trip to a service centre will be necessary.
• This invention is intended to avoid the drawbacks described above and others in the state of the art and to create a support device, which is simply constructed, safe and practical, and which can also be stored compactly by collapsing it by means of a simple operation, and in which maintenance and other such operations can be carried out easily.
• the support device according to the invention is light and has a wide range of possible adjustments.
• Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a support device according to the invention
• Figure 2 shows a side view of the brake device used in the support device; and Figure 3 shows a top view of the brake device.
• Figure 1 shows an angled view of one embodiment of a support device according to the invention.
• Support device 1 comprises in principle of two longitu- dinal frame beams 2 and 3, which are joined at the front of the device by transverse beam 4. Wheels 8 - 11 are at both ends of frame beams 2 and 3, or, as described later in greater detail, there may be wheels 10, 11 at the front and skids 12 at the rear of beams 2 and 3.
• the position of the moveable components 5 and 6 in relation to each other is locked by means of holes 13 in bar 6 and a pin 14, screw or similar penetrating the upper end of tube 5.
• the totality 5, 6, 7 terminating in the handlebar can, for example for storage or transportation, be 'dropped' to a position essentially parallel to and between frame beams 2 and 3, in which case the support device will become a flat unit, which can easily fit into a small space for storage or transportation.
• the bar can be turned between the beams.
• One practicable method is to use a collar-like component 15 around the lower bar component 5.
• Frame beams 2 and 3 are preferably, as described, relatively wide, thus providing excellent support for a person standing on them.
• the beams are also hollow, at least at the ends. This is important, to allow wheels 8 - 11 to be removed. In practice this takes place by attaching the wheel, for example 9, to a sub-frame incorporating a plug-like component 17.
• Component 17 can be pushed into the end of the frame beam and locked in place by a screw 24, pin or other suitable means.
• the lock can also be a snap-fit, with a suitable catch in the surface of beams 2 and 3, which can be pressed to release the wheel.
• the wheels can be replaced easily, if they are worn or damaged, or larger wheels can simply be used outdoors and smaller wheels indoors. The wheels can be easily and quickly changed by the user.
• the wheels at the rear of the frame beams may be replaced with the skid components marked by the reference number 12. In particular this may be necessary if the support device is used outdoors in winter, when the resistance of the skid components 12 is required to slow down the device. Even when moving indoors, the solution with four wheels may sometimes move a little too easily. This can be corrected by replacing the rear wheels with plastic or felt-surface skids 12.
• the attachment of the skid 12 corresponds to the wheel attachment described above.
• front wheels 10 and 11 are attached in the same way as the rear wheels, using components that fit into the frame beams and, for example, screws.
• the front wheels can turn freely around their vertical axis. This is achieved by using a sub-component 20, which permits wheel 10 or 11 to be attached to a vertical axle. If necessary, the attachment may have bearings to ensure easy turning.
• a support device may incorporate other accessories, which are attached to the handlebar by being pushed inside the hollow hand grips.
• Accessories of this kind are particularly intended to provide arm support, which is especially important for the movement of someone who is very weak, in which case all additional support is necessary.
• arm support 21 can incorporate component 22, which is pushed inside hand grip 7 and retained by screw 23 or similar. Screw 23 can be attached to the securing part 22 of the arm support, with a corresponding loop under the hand grip for the screw to go into. After setting the arm support in place, it can be secured to the hand grip by tightening the screw.
• FIGS 2 and 3 show one proposed brake device for a support device according to the invention.
• the brake is shown in outline in Figure 1 , connected to wheel 8.
• wheel 8 This exploits the fact that the wheels form a unit, in which the wheel rotates in bearings in the outer ends of the arms of an essentially U-shaped piece. Between the base of the U and the circumference of the wheel there is a space, in which it is possible to place a wedge-like brake block, operated especially by a foot lever, or, if necessary, by a hand lever on the handlebar, like the brake levers on a bicycle.
• the brake device can be formed by a plate-like component 25 bent to form an angle, secured to the end of the frame beam by the same knurled screw 24 that attaches wheel 8 to the end of the frame beam.
• a lever plate 27, which extends in both directions, is attached to the part of the angle piece extending beyond frame beam 3, for example by means of bolt 26, around which the plate can rotate.
• Brake block 29, which lies in the space between wheel 8 and the base of its U-shaped support frame, is attached in turn to lever plate 27 by means of sub-frame 28.
• a wedge-shaped brake block is an extremely effect means of creating a braking effect, though it is obvious that other conventional solutions are possible.
• brake block 29 is replaced with a concave metal piece, which, when brake lever 27 is pressed, especially grips the outer edges of the wheel, creating an even and powerful braking effect.
• a support device according to the invention achieves advantages other than those mentioned above.
• the frame beams it facilitates movement.
• the support device can be reversed to bring the frame beams around a chair, on which the user wishes to sit, so that the user can sit directly on it. This also applies to a WC-seat.
• a device according to the invention has a low centre of gravity, the position of the user relative to the device being such that the device cannot fall easily in any direction, a tendency to fall backwards in particular being a drawback in certain known devices.
• the device takes up a space of only ten centimetres, so that it can be easily lifted to stand against a wall, where it will not impede other movement.
• a support device is mainly made from metal compo- nents, allowing the creation of a sufficiently sturdy construction. Certain parts can be made especially from plastic. It is self evident, that the design will be implemented allowing for commercial aspects and may differ considerably from that shown in the figures. Other variations, within the scope of the accompanying patent claims, are possible.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Handcart (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=8549861

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (1)

Citations (6)

• 1997
  • 1997-11-04 FI FI974129A patent/FI104786B/sv active
• 1998
  • 1998-10-30 AU AU10338/99A patent/AU1033899A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-10-30 WO PCT/FI1998/000847 patent/WO1999022689A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (6)

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